Description:
Students must apply for admission to enroll in the Senior Honors Seminar. In this two-quarter seminar students write a senior thesis on a research topic of substantial depth and complexity, under the guidance of a faculty mentor and the seminar director. In the fall quarter, senior honors seminar candidates begin their research and develop a prospectus and working bibliography for their thesis. Participants submit applications to the campus-wide competition for undergraduate research funding.

The remaining term is devoted to independent research, conducted in consultation with the student’s individual mentors, and to writing, under the guidance of the seminar director. The theses are usually 50-100 pages in length. A copy of the final thesis is shelved in the departmental reading room. History, History of Public Policy and Medieval Studies majors who successfully complete this course earn Distinction in the Major at graduation.

Prerequisites to Apply for Consideration:

Upper division GPA in the major of 3.5 or above.

Completion of a minimum of four upper-division HIST courses (16 units) at the end of the Spring quarter prior to the Fall quarter of the year you graduate.

Writing samples must be presented to the seminar director.

A professor-sponsor (mentor) for the research project who is familiar with your work and willing and able to work with you for two quarters must submit a letter of support to the seminar director.

Priority given to students who have completed a Directed Reading, Proseminar, or Undergraduate Research Seminar.

Note: The Department contacts eligible students via email at the end of the junior year (usually early May), but some slip through the cracks. Please see the Undergraduate Advisor in HSSB 4036 if you feel you qualify!

Study Abroad: If you are considering Study Abroad in your junior year, you may consider speaking with a faculty member in that area before you go about the possibility of various topics that you could research while you are abroad.